Why not prime your appetite for the wonderful cornucopia of fall spices and freshen up your wardrobe at the same time with a unique, homemade sachet?
The sachet, known as a pomander ball, harks back to the 15th century, when the sachets served as natural air fresheners for closets or drawers. They’re easy to make, and they’re also very much appreciated as gifts.
To make two balls, you will need:
2 oranges (or try lemons, limes, or apples)
1 toothpick or pin to ease the cloves into the orange
Whole cloves, at least 1/4 cup, depending upon your design. (I buy mine in bulk as they tend to be expensive.)
Spice mixture (see recipe below)
4 feet of ribbon
For the spice mixture:
3 Tbs. ground cinnamon
3 Tbs. ground cloves
3 Tbs. ground nutmeg
3 Tbs. ground ginger
3 Tbs. orris root powder (the dried and ground root of a certain iris that’s used as a fixative)
Directions:
Insert whole spicy cloves into the skin of an orange, lemon, lime or apple, fairly close together. Use enough to cover the entire surface of the fruit. Roll the clove-studded balls in a mix of equal parts of powdered cinnamon, nutmeg, spicy cloves, ginger, and orris root, patting on as much of the spicy mixture as will adhere. Orris root is a natural preservative and fixative often used in potpourri. It can be found at herb nurseries and garden stores, or online.
Wrap the covered pomander ball lightly in tissue paper and store in a dry place. In three weeks the fruit will have hardened and shrunk. It can then be tied with a decorative ribbon and hung to add its fragrance to a room or closet.
